1846 Victorian Remodel
Reconfigured Kitchen, Dining Room and Den with Breakfast Nook, Mudroom Integration and Primary Suite, Including Removal of Three Flights of Stairs
Charmed by this 1846 Victorian, we were tasked with reviving a portion of the house that had been renovated in the late 90s. We aimed to blend the original character with the luxury and functionality of the modern day.
The Starting Point: A Victorian Home in Newton, MA
Existing conditions prior to reconfiguration and renovation of first and second level.
Three-dimensional graphics help clients visualize proportions and spatial relationships in ways two-dimensional drawings cannot. They prompt questions and conversations that shape better design decisions.
The dining room and den traded places. Before, you walked through an unused dining room to get from one end of the house to the other. One shift changed how the whole main level flows.
Solving the Puzzle
Restoring proportion and character while shaping the space for modern living.
Demolition Floor Plan
Proposed Floor Plan
Millwork Elevations
Where We Focused
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Anticipation during design plays a large role in managing expectations when reconfiguring spaces in older homes. Taking a pragmatic approach based on the reality of the construction will aid in the development of the creative vision and help weigh the pros and cons of today's decisions and their impact on the future outcome.
When the partition and chimney separating the existing kitchen and dining room was demolished, it became evident that the house had settled overtime resulting in unlevel floors that would later affect the feeling and installation of the new finishes. It made most sense to remove the existing hardwood and subfloor to then sister the joists and create a flat work plane that would support the expected product and experience within the renovated spaces.
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Effective reorganization of spaces is the result of a strategic response to the elements of the existing architecture. We aimed to create an interior layout that addressed the project's goals while also acting in harmony with the building envelope. Identifying natural alignments, proportions and symmetry within the home aids in the development of intentional design.
Delineating a zone for the integration of a mudroom in place of the built-in benching, provided much needed storage and direct views into the new custom kitchen upon entry. This added volume created an opportunity for an adjacent breakfast nook with additional cabinetry that acts as a transition space between kitchen and formal dining room.
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A successful renovation requires one to critically evaluate what is and is not working for them within their existing spaces. This information can help to communicate specific needs and inform larger programmatic shifts that establish a framework for other design decisions. Envisioning yourself utilizing and interacting within your refreshed home can also shape the bigger picture.
The dining room and den swapped positions in this project, providing a more intimate setting for dinner parties and a larger living area with access to the backyard, space for built-in bookshelves and a more centralized location in the house. With custom floor to ceiling cabinetry in the kitchen, relocating the powder room to take the place of the pantry didn't compromise the home's storage and placed the bathroom in a more private area of the home.
The Finished Product
Every detail earned its place. Custom floor to ceiling inset cabinetry designed with organization in mind, added windows to capture natural light and a marble selected to complement the green.
Newton, MA Home Renovation
Project Impact: At 1,300 square feet, this renovation did more than update a kitchen. A significant programmatic shift relocated and resized the dining room, den, kitchen and powder room, creating a layout that matched the proportions of the original home. Custom floor to ceiling inset cabinetry, White Danby marble and a butcher block island brought the kind of detail and materiality that honors the character of an 1846 Victorian while making it feel entirely of today.